Fraser Hart has been acquired by Anthony Nicholas Group
Fraser Hart, the UK's leading independent upper-mid-market jewellery retailer, has been acquired by privately-owned Anthony Nicholas Group, Ireland's largest retail jeweller.
Fraser Hart operates 31 shops around the country, employing almost 500 staff, and was recently voted Retailer of the Year at the UK Jewellery Awards for the third time in five years. Fraser Hart carries such prestigious brands as Rolex, Cartier, Bulgari, Chopard, Breitling, Omega and Gucci and is also a market leader in high quality diamond rings and jewellery, with total sales of over 53 million last year.
Arrowpoint Advisory's Consumer, Retail and Leisure team, led by Simon Cope-Thompson, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, advised the shareholders of Fraser Hart.
ANG operates 18 retail outlets in Ireland under the Fields brand name and has been actively targeting the UK market as an expansion opportunity for some time. The acquisition now positions Anthony Nicholas Group as one of the leading jewellery retailers in the UK and Irish markets.
ANG Chief Executive Noel Coyle explains: “The Fraser Hart business represents an excellent strategic and cultural fit for Fields with complementary brands and product ranges and a shared commitment to delivering superior customer service. It provides the group with an immediate large scale entry into the UK market which also has significant further growth potential.”
Although Fraser Hart's shareholders are stepping down following the sale, its senior management team will remain with the business post completion and take up senior positions within the Anthony Nicholas Group. As Fraser Hart CEO, James Kelly remarks: “Having decided to explore their strategic options earlier in the year, the shareholders chose ANG as their preferred buyer given their extensive retail experience and commitment to the future growth of the business. We are looking forward to working with Noel and his team as we develop our plans for the future.”
Daniel Domberger, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory concludes: “Despite keen competition from private equity, ANG offered the best home for Fraser Hart. The sale was the third deal for the Arrowpoint Advisory Consumer team in just six weeks and demonstrates again our ability to access purchaser interest from overseas.”
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